Honoring Military Spouses in Civilian Employment Programs

DOD recognizes military families' sacrifices and offers Civilian employment programs like Military Spouse Preference and Noncompetitive Appointing Authority. Qualifications must be met for each position. Explore below for details and visit
 DOD MySECO for more.

Military Spouse Programs

  • Military Spouse Preference Program

    DOD Military Spouse Preference Program

    The Military Spouse Preference (MSP) program applies to spouses of active duty military members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the U.S. Coast Guard and full-time National Guard. The program offers opportunities for spouses who desire priority consideration for competitive service positions at DOD activities in the U.S. and its territories and possessions. When a Service Member is relocated via a permanent change of station (PCS), the spouse is entitled to MSP for all positions in the commuting area of the new duty station; meaning, they must be selected before other best qualified candidates for the position. To be eligible, the spouse must be married to the military sponsor prior to the date of PCS orders, meet all pre-employment criteria, and be best qualified for the position.  Can only be used once per PCS.  Applies to Appropriated Fund Positions and Non-Appropriated Fund Positions.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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    In all cases when you apply for DoD positions as an MSP eligible, you must follow all instructions as required by the job opportunity announcement (JOA).

    This process is necessary for the Human Resources office to determine if you rank among the best-qualified candidates for the position. 

    The evaluation factors used to determine if you rank among the best-qualified candidates are the same factors that apply to all the competitive candidates. 

    If you do not apply, you will not be considered for the position.  Be sure to select positions that you are willing to accept when applying to a JOA. Acceptance or declination of any Federal position in the commuting area of your sponsor’s PDS, will terminate your MSP eligibility until you and your sponsor PCS to a new PDS.  Choose wisely!

  • Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointment Hiring Authority

    Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointment Hiring Authority

    The Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointing Authority can be used by Agencies to non-competitively appoint certain military spouses to positions in the Competitive service on a permanent, temporary, or term basis. Used at the discretion of the agency, the authority does not entitle spouses to an appointment over any other applicant.  Does not apply to Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) positions.

  • Direct Hiring Authority for Military Spouses Program

    Direct Hire Authorities for Military Spouses

    Pilot Program on Direct Hire Authority for Spouses of Members of the Uniformed Services at Locations Outside the US (expires December 31, 2026):

    • Allows agencies to appoint spouses of members of the Uniformed Services using a direct hire authority (DHA).
    • Appointments must be made on a time limited basis. Initial appoints will not exceed 2 years with the ability to extend for 2 additional terms (not to exceed 2 years each) for a total of 6 years.
    • No new appointments may be made under this authority after December 31, 2026.
    • These DHA appointments will not provide eligibility to noncompetitively convert to a career or career conditional appointment.
    • Military spouse preference is not applicable.
    • Appointment Eligibility:
      • Spouse authorized to accompany the uniformed service member to the duty location on PCS orders at Government expense to locations outside the US;
      • The position offered must be within the local commuting area of the Uniformed Service member’s assigned duty location; and
      • The spouse must reside with the member of the uniformed services in the same local commuting area of the member’s duty assignment.
  • Noncompetitive Appointment Hiring Authority of Certain Former Overseas Employees

    Noncompetitive Appointment Hiring Authority of Certain Former Overseas Employees

    Noncompetitive Appointment Hiring Authority of Certain Former Overseas Employees:

    • Allows agencies to appoint individuals to a competitive service position within the US (includes Guam, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands) who has completed 52 weeks of creditable overseas service as defined in 5 CFR § 315.608.
    • Family members of Federal civilians, Federal NAF employees, or a member of the uniformed service who are officially assigned to an overseas area who meet the creditable overseas service requirement may be appointed under this authority.
    • Family members are defined in 5 CFR § 315.608.
    • An individual is eligible for an appointment for 3 years following the date of returning from overseas to the US to resume residence.
    • Applies to Appropriated Fund (APF) and NAF positions.
  • Program Differences Explained

    Program Differences Explained

    Program Military Spouse Preference Program Military Spouse Noncompetitive Authority Program Pilot Program on Direct Hire Authority for Spouses of Members of the Uniformed Services at Locations Outside the United States Noncompetitive Appointment Hiring Authority of Certain Former Overseas Employees
    Applicability Applies in DoD only – Managed by DoD Applies Federal wide – Managed by OPM Applies in DoD only – Managed by DoD Applies Federal wide – Managed by OPM
    Legal Basis Title 10, United States Code (USC) 1784.  Public Law 99-145, enacted in 1986 and codified at 10 USC 1784, requires the Secretary of Defense to prescribe regulations that provide employment preference to spouses of active-duty military members of the United States (U.S.) Armed Forces (including the Coast Guard), who relocate to accompany their sponsor on a permanent change of station (PCS) move. Title 5, United States Code of Federal Regulation, Part 315.612 
Note:  The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 and 2023 temporarily removed the requirement for a spouse to relocate under PCS orders with the military member.  This temporary change ONLY applies to the Noncompetitive Hiring Authority.  This does not impact the eligibility requirements under the DoD Military Spouse Preference Program.  Memorandum-Noncompetitive Appointment of Certain Military Spouses -Questions and Answers (opm.gov) Section 625 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 Executive Order (E.O.) 12721, dated, August 1, 1990.
    Preference Extent
    • Extends preference in hiring if the military spouse is determined to be ‘best qualified’ for a position.
    • Spouse must be appointable under a hiring authority
    		 Does not extend preference in employment. Must meet minimum qualifications to be considered for the position.
    • Does not extend preference in employment. Must meet minimum qualifications to be considered for the position.
    • Does not extend preference in employment. Must meet minimum qualifications to be considered for the position.
    Eligibility Criteria Have been married prior to your sponsor’s reporting date to her/his new permanent duty station (PDS), if you are claiming appointment eligibility under Executive Order 13473, which is codified at part 315.612 of Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, the marriage must have occurred before the date of your sponsor’s orders. Have been married prior to your sponsor’s reporting date to her/his new permanent duty station (PDS), if you are claiming appointment eligibility under Executive Order 13473, which is codified at part 315.612 of Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, the marriage must have occurred before the date of your sponsor’s orders.
    • Allows agencies to appoint spouses of members of the Uniformed Services using a direct hire authority (DHA).
    • Appointments must be made on a time limited basis. Initial appoints will not exceed 2 years with the ability to extend for 2 additional terms (not to exceed 2 years each) for a total of 6 years.
    • No new appointments may be made under this authority after December 31, 2026.
    • These DHA appointments will not provide eligibility to noncompetitively convert to a career or career conditional appointment.
    • Military spouse preference is not applicable.
    • Appointment Eligibility: Spouse authorized to accompany the uniformed service member to the duty location on PCS orders at Government expense to locations outside the US; The position offered must be within the local commuting area of the Uniformed Service member’s assigned duty location; and The spouse must reside with the member of the uniformed services in the same local commuting area of the member’s duty assignment.
    • Allows agencies to appoint individuals to a competitive service position within the US (includes Guam, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands) who has completed 52 weeks of creditable overseas service as defined in 5 CFR § 315.608.
    • Family members of Federal civilians, Federal NAF employees, or a member of the uniformed service who are officially assigned to an overseas area who meet the creditable overseas service requirement may be appointed under this authority.
    • Family members are defined in 5 CFR § 315.608.
    • An individual is eligible for an appointment for 3 years following the date of returning from overseas to the US to resume residence.
    • Applies to Appropriated Fund (APF) and NAF positions.
    Application Process To be considered for a vacancy under the  MSP program, submit your application along with the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist to exercise your priority status. Note: Once you access the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) DD form site, click on the form number (DD 3145-4), (you will need to Save As vs. Open the document). To be considered for a vacancy under this hiring authority, follow the ‘How to Apply” instructions on USAJOBs listed in the vacancy announcement. To be considered for a vacancy under this hiring authority, follow the ‘How to Apply” instructions on USAJOBs listed in the vacancy announcement. To be considered for a vacancy under this hiring authority, follow the ‘How to Apply” instructions on USAJOBs listed in the vacancy announcement.
    Temporary Provisions N/A Good through December 31, 2028 Good through December 31, 2026 N/A
  • Recruiting and Retaining Military Spouses Fact Sheet

    Recruiting and Retaining Military Spouses Fact Sheet

    The Recruiting and Retaining Military Spouses Fact Sheet is provided as a resource for Department of Defense Human Resources Managers, Practitioners, Military Spouses and Military Spouse Support Communities. The Fact Sheet provides information on Hiring Authorities, Military Spouse Programs, How Spouses May Apply for Jobs, Resources and a Career Exploration Tool. The Fact Sheet also includes Department of Defense Reminders in support of Executive Order 14100 on Advancing Economic Security for Military and Veteran Spouses, Caregivers and Survivors.
    Recruiting and Retaining Military Spouse Fact Sheet

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